"Becoming Dr. Ruth' Moves From Hartford To Off-Broadway

Debra Jo Rupp (Mom in TV''s "That's '70s Show") plays Dr. Ruth Westheimer in the a one-person show which began at Barrington Stage Company and further developed at Hartford's theaterWorks.

Debra Jo Rupp (Mom in TV''s "That's '70s Show") plays Dr. Ruth Westheimer in the a one-person show which began at Barrington Stage Company and further developed at Hartford's theaterWorks. (Kevin Sprague)

“Becoming Dr. Ruth,” the solo bio show of the famed sex educator Ruth Westheimer that played Hartford’s TheaterWorks earlier this year will make its off-Broadway bow next month at the Westside Theatre.

Written by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd and starring Debra Jo Rupp, the show will begin previews Oct. 11 and open Oct. 29. The limited engagement plays through Jan. 12. Producers of the commercial run are Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess.

Sad to learn that the show is being billed above the title as simply as The Barrington Stage Company production.

Yes, the show had its first version at the Pittsfield, Mass. theater which commissioned the work, premiering in the summer 2012 under the title "Dr. Ruth All the Way."

But it took its next major development step at Hartford’s TheaterWorks where it was changed significantly, including a title change and becoming an intermissionless show. In this version it became a dramatically improved production. I thought the Barrington Stage version was slight, silly and unfocused but it became a much stronger and sharper show in Hartford.

It is mentioned in the press release that the show had a sold-out run at Hartford's TheaterWorks.